Violence rocks Kolkata Corporation over Nandigram issue

Kolkata, Mar 19 (UNI) The Nandigram issue rocked the Kolkata Municipal Corporation today as opposition members went on a rampage stalling the budget session.

Creating a bedlam in protest against what they alleged the government's highhandedness, members of the opposition Trinamool Congress, Congress and BJP damaged furniture, broke light stands and snapped microphone wires.

All hell broke lose when they suddenly raised slogans against the CPI(M)-led government and Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and rushed at the Mayor.

Eggs were hurled, papers flew and tables were overturned as a scuffle started between rival party members.

While the proceedings of the day had to be stopped because of the bedlam, the agitated members entered the Councillor's club room to continue the rampaging acts.

In a simultaneous incident, supporters of Jamait-E-Ulema-I-Hind, a Muslim religious organisation, clashed with police in the city's Esplanade area during a law violation programme in protest against the Nandigram police firing.

Altogether eleven people, including three policemen and two journalists were injured as the agitators threw stones and police burst teargas shells and lathicharged the mob.

UNI